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Clarksville woman looking for three ‘angels’ who helped dying daughter

Connie Carpenter holds a picture of her daughter, Michelle Greenfield, who died on Feb. 16 after being left unattended in the Gateway Medical Center waiting room.(Photo: THE LEAF-CHRONICLE/GREG WILLIAMSON, THE LEAF-CHRONICLE/GREG WILLIAMSON)Buy Photo

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The death earlier this year of Connie Carpenter’s daughter, Michelle Kay Greenfield, brought her and her family heart-wrenching pain. But recently, they discovered their daughter was not truly alone as she was dying – that three “angels” stepped in to comfort a stranger in pain.

On Feb. 16, Greenfield, 41, was rushed to Gateway Medical Center by ambulance after becoming increasingly ill with flu symptoms. But when she arrived at the ER, she was not registered or admitted, Carpenter said. Instead, she was left in a wheelchair in the waiting room, unattended for 23 minutes until she was found unresponsive by an arriving relative.

The ambulance had been called by Greenfield’s grandmother, who then needed to go drop off Greenfield’s 7-year-old son before going to the hospital.

“She ran up to the window and asked to see Michelle Greenfield. They said they didn’t have a Michelle Greenfield.”

Frantic, Greenfield’s grandmother ran to the waiting room.

“She saw Michelle slumped down in the wheelchair,” Carpenter said. “She started screaming, and two nurses came running.”

Greenfield was pronounced dead approximately an hour later. Her death certificate said she died from complications of the flu and sepsis.

Video shows acts of mercy

The moments leading up to Greenfield’s death left Carpenter and her family searching for answers from Gateway and the emergency medical workers who brought her in.

Recently, Greenfield’s stepfather was allowed to watch a video recording of Greenfield in the waiting room. The footage brought much heartache, but also a glimmer of peace to the family when they realized she was not alone.

“In the video it shows they put a mask on Michelle because they thought she had the flu. The mask fell off. One patient waiting to be seen got up and put the mask back on her.

“Michelle was coughing and in a lot of pain. A patient rolled her in the wheelchair beside her, and two others started taking care of her. Michelle was very uncomfortable. They propped her feet up in another wheelchair so they could take care of her. These three people took care of Michelle. They were very loving.

“My husband said as he watched the video he got cold chills. He thought, ‘Thank you, God. She wasn’t alone. He sent angels to take care of her.”

Carpenter said they are now looking for the three people who comforted Greenfield during her final moments of life.

“I appreciate them for taking care of my daughter,” Carpenter said, crying. “She wasn’t alone in her last few hours of dying. That was my biggest fear was that she was alone and that no one cared.”

Searching for answers

Carpenter has reviewed her daughter’s medical records and has many questions about how her daughter appeared to have not been given triage by hospital staff.

She suspects her daughter was overlooked during a shift change, or that Gateway or Montgomery County Emergency Medical Services workers overlooked her. The video also brought a feeling of incredible sadness.

“We were hoping to feel better once we saw the video,” Carpenter said. “After seeing it, my husband is so upset. He cannot believe how she was treated.”

“We couldn’t understand how she got off of a gurney and put into a waiting room,” Carpenter said. “I would like them to consider how they would feel if their loved one was taken by ambulance to the ER for something they thought was life-threatening and for them to be wheeled to the waiting room, unattended, and soon after, die.”

Gateway Medical Center officials said they could not comment on the specifics of Greenfield’s death or provide a copy of the video, but they did release a statement.

“Everyone in our hospital is saddened by the loss of a patient, and our hearts go out to the individual’s family and friends. We are always available to discuss a patient’s care with immediate family members and to answer any questions they may have.

“Our leadership team appreciated the opportunity to meet with Mrs. Carpenter regarding her daughter, to share what we knew and hopefully answer her questions. We are legally bound to protect our patients’ privacy, so we cannot comment publicly regarding an individual’s care. Our hospital is committed to providing timely and effective care for our patients and to continually improve our processes of care.”

EMS Director Jimmie Edwards also was not able to comment on specifics in the case.

In answering questions about the general procedures, though, he said the EMTs radio reports of the patient’s condition to the hospital prior to arrival.

Once they arrive, the patient is transferred to the care of the designated registered nurse in the ER, who directs the EMTs on where to place the patient, Edwards said.

Words of advice

Carpenter said she doesn’t want any other family to go through what they’ve been through.

“I think if had to do it all over again. I would’ve made sure someone was with Michelle. I would tell anyone to make sure you are with your family and follow through. Just because you are going to the hospital in an ambulance doesn’t mean you will be seen immediately.”

As the family grieves, Carpenter said they are holding onto the memories of Greenfield and what she meant to everyone’s life she touched.

“Michelle was a really hard worker,” Carpenter said. “She worked full-time and was a full-time student and mom to 21-year-old and 7-year-old boys. She was a lot of fun. She was full of life. She was very spunky and didn’t take nothing off of anyone. She loved big. She loved hard. ... She was smart and my go-to person and best friend.”

And most of all they want to find and thank those who showed Greenfield those final acts of mercy.

“I want to try to find these people and thank them for taking care.”

HOW TO HELP

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If you were in the Gateway Medical Center ER on Feb. 17 between 6 and 7:30 p.m. and helped Michelle Greenfield or know who did, please call Connie Carpenter at 931-624-8656.